Weather Forecast

A commanding win over Sutherland

By Pastor Vince Carrig

Sports Writer

Sophomore Plainsmen running back Alex Johnston slashed and dashed for one 39-yard touchdown run and two others as 3-0 Perkins County passed 0-3 Sutherland like a ship in the night with a 34-6 win Friday night in Grant.

Johnston quickly blew into the second level of the Sailors’ defense and then outraced Sutherland cornerback Mike Cheloha to the left corner of the end zone for the 39-yard scoring strike that put the Plainsmen ahead 20-0 with 4:15 until halftime.

The game-breaking run provided an encore for an outstanding catch by Plainsmen tight end Jeremy Hagan, who dove and laid out completely to catch a 29-yard lob and set up Johnston’s run.

“It happened so fast, I just remember the ball in my hands and laying on the ground. I knew I wasn’t going to get it just running, that I would have to dive,” the senior Hagan said of his spectacular grab.

A huge defensive stop on the game’s first drive bought the Plainsmen enough time to put some points of their own on the board.

Sutherland penetrated to the Perkins County seven-yard line and faced a fourth-and-one when Michael York invaded their backfield and flung Sailors senior quarterback Garrett Blomstedt to the turf for a seven-yard loss and possession of the ball.

After the teams exchanged possessions and the first quarter passed, Johnston pounded the Sailors for 41 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Johnston piled up 147 yards in the game; his first of three touchdowns gave Perkins County a 6-0 lead just 1:49 into the second quarter.